Van Gaal Dissects Win

Manchester United secured a deserved 1-0 victory over Club America on Thursday evening in the first match of Tour 2015, presented by Aon, and in Louis van Gaal's post-match press conference the boss had plenty to say about his team's performance in Seattle...

On United's display against Club America: "It is our first 45-minute game. I wanted to see our defensive organisation and that was the main aspect. We didn't give a goal away, only one or two chances, so I am satisfied about that. We played like a team and [Club] America was very handy with the ball, all of the players were very aggressive and quick, so it was not so easy. All of my players have done the function of what they have to do in our philosophy, so I am happy and satisfied. We have won so in the tournament we are still in the race."

On Morgan Schneiderlin's headed winner: "He scored with Southampton, I believe five goals, so it is not a coincidence but we have practised this with him so I was very pleased with the performance. It is also a fact that America don’t have many good headers so we knew in advance that our benefit was there. Like I have said in the Premier League, it is not our benefit as we are always small.”

On the players who did not feature: “David De Gea and Antonio Valencia were injured, minor injuries, but we cannot take any risks. Marouane Fellaini is suspended for the first three [Premier League] matches so he has a longer time to prepare himself and I need to see other players. Sean Goss was not selected because I have selected other players.”

On the playing surface at CenturyLink Field: “The pitch was difficult. Also, the first surface [underneath] is artificial and the grass is always moving. You saw a lot of players slipped. You can get more injuries, which is a concern. But also last season against Real Madrid we played in such circumstances. That is the difference in the US with American football stadiums, it is more important. In England we have Old Trafford and it is only for football. It is not for entertaining. There is no One Direction. In England we live for football but in USA they live for American football and baseball.”

On his plans for the three remaining tour matches: “We use this tournament for our match rhythm, to build it up. So we play the next match against San Jose and we will also play 45 minutes for all of the players. That is our philosophy and then we will play 60 minutes and 30 minutes. Maybe in the last match we will play for 90 minutes, or use another team to play for 60 minutes. That I don’t know. I have to read the data of the players. But our plan is to play the next game with 22 players.”

On Daley Blind becoming a long-term centre-back: “It could be. Marcos Rojo is not here. He shall also come on 25 July. I want to play always with a left-footed central defender and Blind can do the job. Maybe he shall play there but all the players can play there. Last year it was Jones and Smalling, and even McNair has played there. But my preference is a left-footed defender and with Rojo and Blind we have two.”